Tip: take a break from the current "book publishing" theme by simply reading the stories that follow, below. In the stories "Foi" and "Conjoint" you will continue to build your French vocabulary, while in "Envie" you can read about longing.
Mas la Monaque - rent this beautifully restored 17-century farmhouse! Click here for photos and availability.
s'envoyer des fleurs
: to pat oneself on the back
Publishing Update!
Now listen in, closely: we are racing toward the imminent deadline for this 21 Day Publish A Book challenge and I need your help today big time!
I am about to do the unthinkable. I'm now going to ask you "to send me flowers"! Not because I received bad news at the doctor's yesterday (another suspicious spot will need to be removed—this time from the side of my nose. Gah! Double gah!!)…
No, I am not asking for flowers for that… I am asking you "to send flowers" in the very French sense of the phrase:
envoyer des fleurs = to send compliments
s'envoyer des fleurs = to send oneself compliments
In fact, what I really need from you today is what we readers, editors, writers, and publishers call "BLURBS".
Normally, a publisher (or author or editor or marketing team) will seek such endorsements from other authors or from journalists. You then see these promotional statements on the book's back cover or on the inside flap or on the first few pages of the book or on the product description page at Amazon.
Such blurbs serve many purposes. Here are just a few. Blurbs help to convey:
1) the book's subject matter
2) the author's writing style
3) the tone of the book
Especially, blurbs help to sell the book! They help potential readers decide whether to buy.
Again, blurbs are typically written by writers… but, personally, I think they should be written by readers. This is where you come in! As readers of this "thrice-weekly" blog, you are the most qualified of all critics to comment on my stories. It is you who can best label my writing style, the subject matter and the tone of these essays.
So forgive me for being brazen or blatant …or even a bit bumbling… in asking you to send me "flowers"! But I sure need your positive words at this time.
And now, à vos plumes! To your pens! (or keyboards…). Please answer my call for blurbs by leaving one here, in the comments box (be sure to leave your name as it should appear… should your blurb be published).
Tip: For help writing a blurb for my book, please have a look at some of the books lying around your home or office. Notice how the blurbs effectively answer the questions: What is this book about? Who is this author? What is the author's style? The book's tone? How am I left feeling, having read a chapter? Would I recommend this book to someone?
To those of you who do not feel up to writing an endorsement, I hope that you will stick around to help choose one for the back of my book! Your job will be to read the blurbs as they come into this box, and help decide which ones will work best for my book's promotion.
Thank you very much! Meantime, here are the next set of stories that will go into the book. Click on the following links to begin editing.
FOI: My daughter and my hot-tempered mom say grace
ENVIE: Restless souls and longings…
CONJOINT: My husband courts Mother Nature
(2006. Before we had any idea we were destined to move to a vineyard…) I thought I'd run this photo for you today, as most of the stories in my next book focus on this time period (so that when you read about Max or Jackie, you can picture them at this age.) The photo was taken at Uncle Jean-Claude's winery, Domaine du Banneret.
Don't forget to leave a book blurb in today's comments box. Thank you again! Your support makes all the difference!
A Note to Editors
Note, if you have helped to edit a story for this collection (that is, if you have submitted a correction to one of the stories in this "publishing challenge", then please add your name to the Acknowledgments box, here.
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To truly learn a language you have to understand the cultural background and deeper meanings of words within phrases. Kristin Espinasse graciously allows us into her family life and their experiences living in France. Merci Kristin for allowing us to live in France vicariously through you!!!
Such a rich community of writers and readers here with Kristin. Reading these comments is a testimony to Kristin’s ability to draw out the best in us all even while we are learning French language and culture!
Thank you Kristin for this generous gift which we receive with gratitude!
Kristy, All the sparkles that land on your shoulders at night, while you sleep, end up in our hearts the next morning, I would share it with millions of people, if only they would calm down and take the time to read it.
Just thought I would add this. As you are getting such good heartfelt blurbs—you could just take a line instead of the whole piece, if you happen to really like one, for the Back Cover.
My “Desert Darling” (as one of your admirers called you),
After reading all 103 blurbs which have been recorded so far, I am totally blown away by the number and quality of your fan club. Who knew FWAD would ever evolve into this…all these people having coffee with Kristi!
You are the best…we all love you…get some rest…
Kristin:
There are many good ideas and thoughts expressed by your readers which are a tribute to you and your blog.
I really like what Maureen and Lana have to say. I think they have come up paragrahs that are both succinct and expressive.
Edie from Savannah
Kristin,
Love the new book! The cover is wonderful.
That is the blue color I fell in love with in Provence. I sought out several homes with the wonderful blue shutters… for which there is not a tube colour!
Thank you so very much for the inspiration you send us all. It is candy for the creative spirit.
I visit Kristin’s blog for the beauty of her writings in English, mixed artfully with the words and colors of southern France. But as she shares her life, I often find myself coming away with the bonus of a heart touched and eyes moistened.
Conversations overheard on market day in a language and in a place that is not my own. I search to better see the faces and to hear each phrase. I am coming to have a feel for the place and they have become my friends . They don’t know me. It is as though I am not even there. But I am.
Kristin has the unique gift of being able to transport her readers into her life through her stories that are so engaging, funny and heartwarming.
Kritin- You don’t really need another blurb- you have so many great ones to choose from, but I woke up thinking of this:
“Kristin has lived what others only dream about- to fly away to France, and marry a handsome Frenchman. In this volume she continues to dish out slices from her ordinary, daily life that keep the fantasy very real. The relayed wonder, joys or disappointments in life, together with the optimism to go on, provide a feast for all the senses. Enjoy!”
Happy Thaksgiving!
Nancy Rial, author of ALAN’S LETTERS
Kristin Espinasse is a must read for anyone who has sampled French and France and fallen in love with both! Her stories are treasures to be sampled again and again. The pages are unique. She invites you into her home and her life and shares the adventure of life in France.
Patience Tekulsky
Well, this comment is arriving about a month or so too late, but hopefully it’s still relevant. Kristin’s blog is the one blog I look forward to reading. It is honest, funny, and how she manages to do it while being a full-time mom as well is beyond me! I am a single woman in NYC with no children and still struggle to put out a food blog every two or more weeks. The blog makes me enjoy learning French, and I hope to visit her one day to share my apprecie in person. Wylie, Couchsurfing Cook, http://www.couchsurfingcook.com.